Hot Tub and Sauna Use and High Blood Pressure

Updated:Aug 14,2014

Hot tubs and saunas pose no risk to healthy people as long as they are not misused. People with high blood pressure should tolerate saunas well as long as they are not experiencing a hypertensive crisis.

Heat from hot tubs and saunas cause blood vessels to open up (called vasodilation.) Vasodilation also happens during normal activities like a brisk walk. If your doctor has told you to avoid moderate exercise, you should also be careful when considering hot tubs and saunas.

People with high blood pressure should not move back and forth between cold water and hot tubs or saunas. This could cause an increase in blood pressure.

Drinking alcohol and using a sauna isn't a good combination either, so don't mix the two.